Bronson Healthcare gives $1 million to WMU nursing program

KALAMAZOO -- WMU's School of Nursing will be the recipient
of a $1 million gift from the Bronson Healthcare Group of Kalamazoo.

Efforts also are under way to name WMU the legal successor
to the Bronson Methodist Hospital School of Nursing, which is
scheduled to close later this year.

The gift is targeted to help the transition from Bronson's
nursing school to the University's, and to maintain Kalamazoo's
reputation for superior nursing education.

"This gift is a continuation of the effort which began
in 1988 when Bronson first began supporting Western Michigan University's
quest to develop a BSN program," said Frank Sardone, president
and chief executive officer of the Bronson Healthcare Group. "We
are committed to nursing education for the community and the region,
and fully support Western's nursing program."

The gift brings Bronson's total contribution during the past
10 years to $2.25 million in direct and indirect support for the
University's nursing program.

"Western Michigan University is very grateful for the
further expression of Bronson's continued support for the new
and exciting nursing program," said Timothy Light, provost
and vice president for academic affairs. "We are a community-oriented
University and we appreciate greatly the support that we receive
from community organizations like Bronson. We are devoted to establishing
collaborations that will better serve our wide community through
the synergies that can be achieved by our working together."

Bronson's School of Nursing is a three-year diploma-based program,
and is the last diploma-based program in the state. WMU's School
of Nursing, which began in 1994, is a four-year bachelor of science
degree program.